Swivel-connector

摘要

A tubing end-piece (10) interconnects a free end (12) of a piece of tubing (14) and a tubing connector (210) or fitting so that a fluid can flow between the tubing and the fitting or connector. The tubing end-piece includes a body member (20) extending along a longitudinal axis with a bore extending longitudinally therethrough. The body member (20) has an elongated body portion, a doughnut-shaped head portion (32) and a frustoconically-shaped tail portion. The body portion has an outer body surface (26) configured in a shape of a frustum that tapers from a first end (28) and towards a second end (30). The doughnut-shaped head portion is connected to the first end of said body portion and extends radially outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis to form in cross-section an outer curved surface (34) commencing from the first end (28) and terminating in an outer peripheral edge (36) which defines a first opening (38) into the bore (22). A frustoconically-shaped tail portion (40) is connected to the second end (30) of the body portion and tapers from the second end (30) and towards a second opening (42) into the bore (22). The body member (20) has an inner first surface (44) and an inner second surface (46) defining the bore (22) and has a plurality of splines (54) which are spaced apart from one another and extend longitudinally along and outwardly from the outer body surface. The present invention also includes a connector (210) adapted to interconnect a pair of tubing end-pieces (10) so that the fluid can flow between and through the respective pieces of tubing (14,18) and the pair of tubing connectors, and present a connection which resists snagging when trailed from a portable or fixed source of oxygen gas to an ambulatory patient.